LIVINGSTON COUNTY – Though 21 cell service 'dead zones' were reported in Senator Chuck Schumer's dead zone report, Livingston County has one of the fewest in the region, outdone only by Seneca County. According to Schumer's report, New Yorkers reported over 5,000 dead zones statewide. More than 4,000 of these were in upstate New York. Of these, 21 were reported in Livingston County. By comparison, Monroe County had 151 and Wyoming County had … [Read more...]
Geneseo Woman Busted for Worker’s Comp Fraud
GENESEO – The New York State Inspector General's Office announced the arrest of a Geneseo woman on multiple felony charges for allegedly collecting thousands of dollars to which she was not entitled. According to a press release from NYS Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott, JoAnne Cardona, 47, was arrested for Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, Insurance Fraud in the Third Degree, Perjury in the First Degree, two counts of the Workers’ … [Read more...]
DEC Wants Invasive Longhorned Beetles from Your Pool
Watch the DEC's video on Asian Longhorned Beetles below! LIVINGSTON COUNTY – The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) wants local homeowners to use their pools to track spreading bug populations. Every pool owner has a horror story about the beasts that become trapped in filters and skimmers, and the DEC wants to know if a specific invasive creepy-crawly, the Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB), winds up in your pool. "Pool … [Read more...]
Bull’s Eye! Rifle Hunting Now Permanent in Livingston County
LIVINGSTON COUNTY – After a two-year trial period with two of the safest hunting seasons on record, big game hunting with centerfire rifles is now legal indefinitely in Livingston County. According to a press release from Senator Catharine Young, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law. “Sportsmen play an important role in our local economy by supporting small businesses. I thank Governor Cuomo for recognizing the significance of … [Read more...]
Avon Central Cuts Ribbon on NYS’ Largest School Solar Field
AVON – On Thursday's bright, hot afternoon, Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul cut the ribbon on Avon Central School's new solar field, the largest at any school in New York State. About two dozen members of Avon Central Schools, the Avon community and the NYS government attended the ceremony, huddled under a white tent in the school parking lot while the sun blasted the activated solar panels a stone's throw away. Avon Superintendent Dr. Aaron … [Read more...]
NYS Enters Drought Watch
NYLON – All of New York State is now under a drought watch by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). According to a press release from the DEC, they consulted with the NYS Drought Management Task Force and Federal partner agencies and decided to issue the watch. “While most public water supplies are still generally normal throughout the state, below normal precipitation over the last 9 months, low stream flows, and reduced … [Read more...]
Avon Central School Finishes Big, Bright Solar Field
AVON – Avon Central School is about to get a giant power boost now that their massive solar field is complete. The 10,000 solar panels have been $3.4 million in the making but can generate 1.9 million kilowatts of electricity per year. According to our news partner News10NBC, the school campus generally only uses 1.5 million kilowatts, the district could sell off the surplus energy and actually make money. During its construction, this is … [Read more...]
NYS Grants Ossian $25K to Preserve Farmland
OSSIAN – Ossian is one of two towns in New York State to receive grant money to further preserve its farmland for future generations. According to a press release from Livingston County, the grant comes from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets to help Ossian and the Town of Mentz in Cayuga County develop farmland protection plans. “As a farmer, I know that land is an irreplaceable asset that needs to be preserved in … [Read more...]
Livingston County Budget Could Strain Under Mandated Expenses for DA and PD
LIVINGSTON COUNTY – Mandatory changes to the Livingston County District Attorney's Office and Public Defender's Office from New York State will likely strain the county's budget process. Though it is technically still unknown how the county will be financially affected by a state-mandated $30,000 raise for the District Attorney and widened eligible income bracket for the Public Defender, the changes will most likely leave the county in a tough … [Read more...]
Livingston County Prepares for Ramifications of Negotiated NYS Budget
LIVINGSTON COUNTY – The Livingston County government is preparing for closely negotiated, profound fiscal changes that stem from the New York State budget, which passed on April 1. The state budget provides for slightly altered implementation of several actions which Livingston County strongly opposed, including state mandated $15 minimum wage, 12-week paid family leave for employees of business, and having counties cover county Medicaid … [Read more...]